"A&E good and not so good"

I experienced a heavy fall at home in the early hours of 20 April and saw my GP later the same day. My main problem was severe chest wall/rib pain and, as a retired doctor, I appreciate that whilst there is no specific treatment for rib fracture(s) there is the possibility of either air or blood extravasation giving rise to a pneumo- or haemo-thorax, especially as I am on warfarin post pulmonary endarterectomy. My GP examined me carefully to exclude these but, as a precaution gave me a X-ray. Form. As by now it was after 5 pm my wife rang the department but there was no reply. After a disturbed night I came to A&E and after a short wait was seen by an efficient triage nurse who felt I should be assessed in the A&E area. When I went through I was see by a Staff Nurse who introduced herself and proceeded to do an ECG and insert a cannula at first attempt into my much-used veins. After a short wait I was seen by a doctor whose name or designation he didn't reveal. A cursory five second examination- one finger on the area of maximum tenderness and he said that I could have it Xrayed. The porter who took me to X-ray and the radiographer both introduced themselves. After returning the doctor said that there were no fractures but the X-ray suggested 'heart failure' - a condition I was aware of and is being treated at Royal Papworth. I don't know if he was aware of my medical background but gave no advice on management of my chest wall pain and any further symptoms to be aware of. My cannula was removed by the same Staff Nurse and I was able to leave three and a half hours after arriving. The reception and triage staff, the porter and radiographer were all quietly efficicient but a five star rating should go to the Staff Nurse for her smiling face and lovely caring manner. I'm afraid I would give no stars to the doctor for his performance which was lacking both in thoroughness and manner. As a doctor I was somewhat taken aback by this and trust that whilst he may consider my condition as of minor importance in the A&E context I think that his cursory examination and his manner showed a fundamental lack of a caring and safe practice. It grieves me to have to report this aspect of my otherwise excellent experience.